Topic: scotland

Alex Salmond promises Health Bill to ensure the future of GP services in Scotland "remains rooted in the traditions of general practice"

Scotland's first minister has pledged to introduce a health bill that will include measures to prevent commercial companies providing GP services in Scotland.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament yesterday (3 September 2008), Alex Salmond (pictured) set out the government's priorities for the year ahead.

He said: "In the coming year we will introduce a Health Bill. One objective of the Bill will be to help ensure that the future of GP services in Scotland remains within the NHS family and firmly rooted in the traditions of general practice."

Since April, 51% of Scottish practices have extended their opening hours by an average two-and-a-half hours a week

Figures show that more than half of GP surgeries in Scotland are now offering appointments outside normal opening hours, in spite of the BMA's opposition to the plan.

The Scottish government launched the policy in April, and in the four months since then, 51% of practices, serving almost 3 million patients, have extended their opening hours by an average two-and-a-half hours a week.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the figures, but called for more practices to take part.

Life expectancy remains lower in Scotland than Europe on average by almost a year for men - and almost two years for women

Scotland's largest healthcare union told a major conference yesterday that the key to tackling Scotland's poor health record and the unequal impact of poor health on poorer areas, is for governments at all levels to use taxation and benefits to reduce poverty, and for Scotland's NHS to remain publicly owned and democratically controlled.

Other steps that governments can take, the union said, are to deliver well-funded public services to underpin decent lives and encourage high-quality, safe and healthy work for all who need it.

Scottish health secretary says NHS Scotland must listen to the needs of its patients

Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon (pictured, right) has said the NHS north of the border must make sure it listens to patients and understands their needs.

In her keynote address at a conference in Stirling on the future of cancer care in the country, she said: "All too often people don't know how to get involved or to have their say about what happens to them.